Ron de Wit
Managing Director, Sydney, Australia
Ron is a Managing Director in Horwath HTL in Australia and has over 35 years of experience in the hospitality industry in Australia and the South Pacific from initially working in hotels and resorts, restaurants, clubs, catering and foodservice operations; and over the last 20 years as a consultant with leading professional services firms.
About
Ron de Wit is the Managing Director of Horwath HTL in Australia, bringing over 35 years of diverse experience in the hospitality industry across Australia and the South Pacific. His career spans operational roles in hotels, resorts, restaurants, clubs, and catering businesses, and for the past two decades, he has specialised as a consultant with leading professional services firms.
Ron’s consulting expertise is rooted in a comprehensive understanding of tourism accommodation properties and the operational dynamics of the broader hospitality sector, including clubs and catering. His insights into market trends, operational efficiency, and business management make him a trusted advisor to clients navigating complex hospitality challenges.
Core areas of Ron’s expertise include market feasibility studies, financial viability evaluations, operational reviews, acquisition due diligence, operator search and selection, asset management performance reviews, and industry benchmarking. He has also authored numerous publications, including market forecasts, infrastructure development reports, investment guides, and benchmarking studies, which have provided valuable insights to investors, hotel management companies, and industry organisations.
Ron is a regular contributor to industry events, serving as a speaker, guest lecturer at hotel schools, and presenter at club management forums. His thought leadership and practical guidance have made him a respected voice in the tourism and hospitality sectors.
As Managing Director, Ron oversees specialist teams in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and the Gold Coast, driving Horwath HTL Australia’s focus on research, development, operations, and strategy. He plays an active role in client relationships and project execution, ensuring the delivery of tailored solutions that address the evolving needs of the hospitality industry. His leadership and strategic vision continue to enhance Horwath HTL’s reputation as a premier consultancy in the region.
Experience
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Proposed Acquisition of Holiday Inn West Perth
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Hotel Market Study for the Proposed Hotel in regional NSW
Hawkesbury River, New South Wales, Australia
Feasibility Study for Beachfront, Resort-Style Hotel
Tongatapu, Tonga
Market Study for Integrated Resort Complex in Fiji
Suva, Fiji
Solomon Islands Tourism Investment Promotion
Western Province, Solomon Islands
Expert Witness for Proposed Ecotourism Development
New South Wales, Australia
Expert Witness for Hotel Development Litigation
Whitsundays, Queensland, Australia
Eco Tourism Assessment For A Regional Resort
Southern Highlands, New South Wales, Australia
Expert insights
Cutting edge analysis.
Australia Key City Hotel Market Outlook, Sept 2023
Australia’s GDP growth for FY 2023-24 is forecasted to slow down to 1.2%, a significant drop from 3.3% in FY 2022-23. The unemployment rate is expected to rise to 4.1%, with the population projected to expand by 485,000 people and more than 235,000 individuals joining the labour force. Continued inflationary pressures and a volatile geopolitical environment pose challenges to tourism recovery, impacting travel intentions and cost of living.
Australia Key City Hotel Market Outlook, June 2023
As of June 2023, Australia’s GDP growth is forecasted to slow to 0.9% in FY 2023-24, down from 3.1% in FY 2022-23. The unemployment rate is expected to rise to an average of 4.1%, with the population expanding by 466,000 people and over 300,000 new labour force entrants. International tourist arrivals are steadily recovering, particularly from South Asia, Middle East/Africa, and Oceania. Northeast Asia is also showing recovery following the reopening of Chinese borders. International visitor numbers are expected to reach pre-pandemic levels by 2024.
Australia Key City Hotel Market Outlook, March 2023
The March 2023 edition of the Horwath HTL Quarterly Hotel Market Outlook provides an in-depth analysis of the Australian hotel market, including macroeconomic and tourism contexts, key trends in hotel performance, and detailed outlooks for various regions. This summary highlights the significant findings and trends outlined in the report.
Australia Key City Hotel Market Outlook, Sept 2022
Australia’s hotel market in Q3 2022 showed signs of recovery as international borders reopened in December 2021. The Australian business outlook forecasts growth in 2022-23 with an unemployment rate of 3.7% and an expected population increase of 321,000. However, the recovery faces challenges from geopolitical tensions, rising inflation, and interest rates.
Australia Key City Hotel Market Outlook
Australia’s economic outlook for 2022-23 is positive, driven by the reopening of international borders and a recovering labour market. The unemployment rate is projected to stabilize at 3.8%, with a population growth of 276,000 people. International tourism is expected to reach pre-pandemic levels by June 2024, contributing to the economic rebound.
Australia Key City Hotel Market Outlook
Australia’s economic recovery in early 2022 was more robust than anticipated, with the unemployment rate near a half-century low and export prices at record highs. However, the international tourism sector faces a slower recovery due to expensive travel costs, complex travel requirements, and the ongoing risk of new COVID-19 variants. Domestic tourism is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels by 2022-23, surpassing them by 2023-24, though Victoria and other territories may experience delayed recoveries due to prolonged lockdowns.